Giving: How to Give Cheerfully
Do you ever feel anxious when the collection plate or bag comes around?
Paul somewhat surprisingly tells us that “You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give.” Not only that, but giving should be joyful, not forced: “Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NLT).
Jesus spoke often about money. According to author Randy Alcorn, about 15% of Jesus’ sayings recorded in the Bible relate to money and possessions. We are not saved in any way by our good works (“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works”, Ephesians 2:8-9), but doing good, including giving back a portion of what God has graciously given us, is the natural outcome of true faith (James 2:15-17).
Why did Jesus speak frequently about money? Perhaps because we seem to have so much trouble using money wisely. Thankfully, the New Testament gives us plenty of guidance. Take this study to discover what God’s word has to teach us about giving.
The Flipside of Giving
